Slain New Kenstington Police Officer Laid To Rest

PITTSBURGH, PA - New Kensington Police Officer Brian Shaw was laid to rest Wednesday, five days after he was shot to death in a foot chase that followed an attempted traffic stop.

Shaw was lauded as both a peacemaker and peacekeeper at his funeral service at Mount St. Peter Church in New Kensington. In delivering the homily, Bishop Edward Malesic of the Greensburg Roman Catholic Diocese said of the fallen officer, “It was his calling to protect us, help us to laugh and lift us up.”

“Thank you, Brian, for serving us - and protecting us - and building up the community at a time when so many want to destroy it with guns, drugs and crime,” Malesic said. “You made our community a better place in which we could live, work and play.”

Shaw, 25, of Lower Burrell, was a rookie officer who became a full-time member of the New Kensington force in July. Police on Tuesday arrested his alleged killer, Rahmael Holt, 29, of Harrison Township after an extensive manhunt. Holt is charged with first-degree murder, murder of a law enforcement officer and firearms violations.

Thousands of people lined the streets as the funeral procession made its way to the service, when New Kensington Police Chief James Klein delivered an emotional eulogy. Klein, one of Shaw’s football coaches when he was a student at Burrell High School, praised the officer’s commitment and dedication.

Acknowledging that those attending the service were supposed to be there to bid farewell, Klein said. “To say goodbye is to let him go. I promise you we will never let him go. He will forever be a part of me, the New Kensington Police Department and the many lives he touched in his young life.”

“Brian, your shift here on earth is done. Heaven is calling,” Klein continued. “Your brothers at the New Kensington Police Department will continue to fight the good fight knowing that you are with us as our backup, as one of our guardians from above.”

Following the service, Shaw was laid to rest in Greenwood Memorial Park Cemetery in Lower Burrell.

Photo: Associated Press.